Lifting Bag

ABSTRACT

A lifting bag having at least one side wall and a closed bottom forming an interior, the bag further having a closable top portion connected to a portion of the sidewall and adapted to close the interior of the bag. The lifting bag includes at least one bottom support member positioned on the bag bottom and forming a bottom support pattern. The lifting bag includes a series of side support members positioned on the sidewall, where the side support members are connected to the bag sidewall in a fashion to allow a substantial length of the sidewall near the bag top to move independently of the side support members. The side support members are connected to the bottom support.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/657,512, filed on Feb. 28, 2005 which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to large lifting bags for lifting and transporting hazardous or radioactive materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Transportation of bulk materials in the United States is regulated by the United States Department of Transportation, particularly for transportation of hazardous or radioactive materials. See 49 CFR pt. 173 (incorporated by reference). In particular, containers for transportation of hazardous and radioactive materials are required to meet certain design safety criteria. See generally, 49 CFR 173 subpart I. Certain packaging design guidelines for Industrial Packaging, Types 1, 2, or 3, or Type A package (see 40 CFR 173.403) are specified in 49 CFR 410-411. Transportation of bulk materials is similarly regulated in Europe and elsewhere.

The United States guidelines specify testing requirements that packaging must undergo to be certified as meeting the guidelines. See 49 CFR 173.465. Included in the testing procedures are a free drop test, and a stacking test. The free drop test requires a package to be loaded or filled to its design weight capacity and dropped from a specific height (1-4 feet, depending on design weight) and to maintain structural integrity after impact. The stack test requires a loaded package to be subject to a compressive load of five times the actual capacity weight of the package. Such testing requirements place substantial restrictions on possible construction of the packaging. For packaging that comprises a flexible bag capable of being lifted when loaded, the drop test and stack test present heavy design hurdles. One possible flexible bag design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,727 (the '727 patent), attached hereto and made a part hereof, in its entirety.

The lifting bag in the '727 patent has several drawbacks. First, the lifting straps are attached to the outer cover of the bag, which places stress on the outer cover during lifting operations. Second, the lifting straps encircle the bottom of the bag in an even rectangular grid, which results in an even distribution of weight during lifting provided the lifting forces are evenly distributed. If the lifting forces are not evenly distributed, the bag is subject to torsional forces and the rectangular webbing support grid on the bottom of the bag will not sufficiently compensate for these twisting forces, resulting in bag deformation and unnecessary stress, particularly on the bag seams. Further, an uneven load distribution within the bag can result in torsional forces despite the application of evenly applied lifting forces. Finally, the bag employs a complex flap folding procedure to seal the bag, which is cumbersome and time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A lifting bag having at least one side wall and a closed bottom forming an interior, the bag further having a closable top portion connected to a portion of the sidewall and adapted to close the interior of the bag. The lifting bag includes at least one bottom support member positioned on the bag bottom and forming a bottom support pattern. The lifting bag includes a series of side support members positioned on the sidewall, where the side support members are connected to the bag sidewall in a fashion to allow a substantial length of the sidewall near the bag top to move independently of the side support members. The side support members are connected to the bottom support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the lifting bag.

FIG. 1A is a bottom view of the lifting bag of FIG. 1

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing the components used to manufacture the bag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 a perspective view of another embodiment of the lifting bag having a single top and shortened duffle liner.

FIG. 2A is a bottom view of the lifting bag of FIG. 2

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a retainer loop embodiment attached to the bag,

FIG. 5 a perspective view of another embodiment of the lifting bag having a single top and shortened duffle liner.

FIG. 5A is a bottom view of the lifting bag of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the lifting bag.

FIG. 6A is a bottom view of the lifting bag of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 a perspective view of another embodiment of the lifting bag.

FIG. 7A is a bottom view of the lifting bag of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a schematic showing two fabric pieces overlaid and used to construct a lifting bag, and also shows the retainer loops as being slits in the fabric.

FIG. 8A is a schematic showing the straps positioned in the unassembled bag of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the lifting bag using cinch straps.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 9 showing the cinch straps in use.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view showing another embodiment of the bottom weave.

FIG. 10A is a bottom view showing another embodiment of the bottom weave.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the bottom weave of the invention, where the bottom weave extends partially up the sides of the bag.

FIG. 11A is a bottom view of the lifting bag of FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention showing a variation in top configuration.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the lifting bag.

FIG. 13A is a bottom view of the lifting bag of FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a one embodiment of a lifting frame being used to lift a lifting bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Shown in FIG. 1 is one embodiment of the invention, comprising a lifting bag 1, constructed to meet IP-2 standards for 24,000 lbs capacity. The bag 1 has two opposing sidewalls 2, 3; two opposing end walls 4, 5; a top portion 10; and a bottom 20. As shown, the lifting bag 1 forms a rectangular shaped enclosure (as shown, about 8′×7′×4.5′ or 8′×5.5′×5.5′), having an interior volume, with an open top defined by the upper ends of the end walls and sidewalls. Other bag shapes and sizes are possible, such as a cubical shape or cylindrical shape.

The enclosure sidewalls and bottom are constructed of a robust flexible fabric, such as 6.5-18+ oz coated woven (or non-woven) polypropylene or polyethylene, with coated polypropylene being preferred. The coating, if provided, is usually polyethylene (typically 1-3 mil coating). It is preferred that the top also be made of a robust flexible fabric. For strength, the bottom layer may be a multilayer construction. For one particular embodiment, a lifting bag, having two layers of 6.5 oz coated woven polypropylene, or one layer of 6.5 oz woven polypropylene and a second layer of 8 oz woven polypropylene have been utilized (more preferred). The bag may have a separate liner positioned in the interior of the bag (a bag in a bag) with the liner attached to the top of the bag, and if desired, also attached to the four side corners of the bag.

Various constructions of the enclosure are possible: the sidewalls and end walls may be constructed from a single piece of fabric; the bottom and sidewalls (or bottom and end walls) may each be constructed from a single sheet of fabric, etc. One embodiment uses separate cut pieces or panels of fabric for each wall, bottom and top, with the panels joined by stitching. Alternatively, two pieces of fabric could be overlaid in a “x” or “t” shape creating a double layer for the bottom of the bag (see FIG. 8). When separate pieces of fabric are used, the pieces can be joined through stitching. Means other than stiching can be utilized to join wall/bottom/top members, such as plastic welding or adhesion or a combination of means.

It is preferred that the lifting bag 1, when used for construction debris, include an inner support liner 30, lining all or part of the interior. As shown in FIG. 1, the liner 30 is constructed from 6 to 12 oz non-woven polypropylene fabric (12 oz being most preferred with a 24,000 lb capacity bag). Alternatively, a liner can be constructed in multiple layers of differing fabrics or materials for strength, puncture resistance or other desired physical properties. The liner 30, shown in FIG. 1, extends above the top of end wall 3 to form a closable flap 31. The liner 30 is attached (stitched, welded, glued) to the interior of the outer enclosure near the periphery of the top opening to maintain the liner 30 in place with respect to the outer enclosure. Also shown is a duffle top 40. Duffle top 40 is a plastic sheet of 3 oz-8 oz. coated polypropylene (with 6.5 oz being preferred) attached around the periphery of the open top of the enclosure. The duffle top can be an extension of the inner liner if desired. The duffle top can be separately closed. As later described, other types of tops can be utilized, such as cigar or spout equipped tops, sheet tops with various closure means (such as straps or ties), or other top configurations or a combination of top configurations (for instance FIG. 12 shows a spouted top in combination with two opposing zippered tops).

Shown in FIG. 1A is a detail of one embodiment of the bottom 20 construction. Positioned on the bottom 20 is a series of short retention loops 50, each retention loop 50 stitched at two opposing ends to the bottom 20 to create a loop much like a belt loop. For this particular embodiment, a series of 14 retention loops 50 are formed, in a 3-4-3-4 pattern positioned around the periphery of the bottom 20, located about 12-15 inches from the outer edge of the bottom 20. The loops 50 on opposing sides of the bottom 20 are substantially aligned. Shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A are retention loops 50 positioned on the sidewalls, endwalls and bag bottom. Sidewall 2 has eight retention loops, four located near the top of the sidewall and four located near the bottom of the sidewall. End wall 4 has six retentions loops 50, three located near the top of the end wall 4 and three located near the bottom. The opposing end walls and sidewalls are similarly equipped with retention loops 50 (see FIG. 2). The top and bottom retention loops 50 positioned on the walls are substantially aligned with each other, and additionally, aligned with the retention loops 50 located on the bottom portion 20 nearest the wall (end wall or sidewall). Overall, fourteen groups of retention loops (three per group) are created on the exterior of the enclosure, where the three retention loops in each group are substantially aligned in a vertical plane. Additional retention loops can be placed on the end and sidewalls (or bottom) as needed. Retention loops on the bottom may be eliminated base upon the bottom support configuration. Retention loops 50 may be constructed from 1.5-2.5 inch polypropylene or polyester webbing, 1.5-2.5 inch elastic knitted latex webbing, ¾ inch rope, or any suitable material. In certain applications, an elastic retention loop may be suitable while in other applications, a substantially non-elastic retention loop may be desirable. The side straps are positioned separated, generally equidistant, on each side and each.

Finally, the bag can include a cinch straps 111 positioned near the top four corners (preferably, two straps on each long side of the bag), as shown in FIGS. 9 and 9A. For very large bags, additions cinch straps may be needed near the center of the bag. Cinch straps 111 can be constructed from rope, polypropylene, polyester or other suitable material. The cinch straps 111 runs vertically on the side of the bag and in use, allows the top of the bag to be drawn toward the bottom of the bag. If a bag is not filled to capacity, the top of the bag can curve inwardly, forming a center depression that can hold water during extended storage of a filled bag. To avoid this, cinch straps 111 are tightened and secured, drawing the top of the bag toward the bag bottom of the bag, removing any slack in the sidewalls. If the bag is to be moved, the cinch straps can be released if desired. Each cinch strap may be directly attached to the bag or may be threaded through retention loops 100 at the top and bottom of the bag and tightened and tied as appropriate. For instance, the cinch straps 111 can be threaded through retention loops 50 used for the lifting straps 60, with the two free ends tied together after removing the slack. Alternatively one end can be attached to the bag (top or bottom) and the other end free. While four cinch straps are preferred, two may be used with all the top slack being removed on one side of a partially filled bag.

As shown in FIG. 1, threaded through each group of three retention loops 50 (one retention loop being on the bottom) is a lift strap 60. Each lift strap 60 has two distal ends, and located on each distal end is an attachment member 61. As shown, attachment members 61 are loops formed at the ends of the lift straps 60. Other attachment members can be used, such as shackles, metal loops, etc., and the attachment members on each strap or on different straps do not have to be identical. The lift straps 60 will be used to transfer lifting forces to the bottom support weave 90. Lift straps 60 are formed of 2 inch (or larger) polyester webbing, but ropes, wire or chain could also be used as a flexible lift strap or side support member.

Though the use of retention loops 50, the side lifting straps 60 can be decoupled from the bag exterior, allowing the bag to be lifted without using the bag fabric itself to supporting a lifting force (the bag vertically “floats” about the straps). This decoupling is important in preventing unnecessary stress on the bag and the bag seams. Because the bag is not a substantial lifting element, the bag, during lifting operations, will deform to some degree and is restrained from excessive deformation by the side lifting straps 60 and retention loops 50. For instance, the top of the bag may “settle” to the load line since the lift straps 60 are detached from the sides of the bag. By “detached” is meant that the lift straps are not directly attached (sewn, welded, adhered) to the bag fabric. The lift straps/bag fabric can move independently in the vertical direction due to the detachment of the lift straps 60 from the bag. The straps simply slide through the retention loops 50. The side retention loops are present to retain the vertical geometry of the lifting straps 60 during lifting. That is, the side retention loops 50 allows the bag to move vertically with respect to the lifting straps 60, but substantially restrains the bag from moving sideways or horizontally with respect to the lifting straps 60 (some horizontal movement will occur if the lift straps are much smaller that the opening created by the retention loops, say a ¾ wire rope in a retention strap having a 5-6 inch span or opening.

Instead of a loop of fabric attached to the exterior wall of the bag as a retention loop, another embodiment of a retention loop includes adjacent horizontal slits 110 positioned in the outer layer of the bag material. The slits 110 are parallel, separated by about 2-4 inches and may be positioned where loop type retention loops would be placed. The lifting straps can be threaded through the slits, as is shown in FIG. 8A (shown on an unassembled bag). Note, that a retention loop is not included on the bottom of the bag shown in FIG. 9. If a slitted retention loops are employed, a liner should be used to prevent material from escaping through the slits cut in the bags outer material.

The detachment of the side straps from the bag also allows the side straps to be positioned on the bag at the site, and allows for the same size bag to be built and accommodate different construction side lifting members (different side strap sizes, rope instead of straps, etc). This allows for flexibility in design, assembly and inventory. As later shown, these benefits can also be achieved with a detached or floating bottom support weave.

Positioned on the exterior bottom 20 of the bag is a flexible bottom support weave 90. For the embodiment shown, the bottom support weave 90 is constructed of two ⅜ inch diameter woven nylon ropes 91 and 92 (for clarity, rope 91 is shown dotted). Again, webbing, chain, wire of other rope types can be used provided they have sufficient strength to withstand the resultant pulling and lifting forces. The ropes 91 and 92 are laced through the bottom attachment members 61 of the lift straps 50, as shown in FIG. 3A. The lacing is formed in a crisscross pattern as shown. For rope 92, the crisscross pattern alternates between the attachment members of the side wall lift straps 50 in a pattern similar to that of a lace up-shoe. Rope 92 generally extends between opposing sidewall edges on the bottom of the bag. Rope 92 runs parallel to the end wall edge only through the attachment members adjacent to the end wall edge. At the bottom corner (where sidewall bottom edge and end wall bottom edge meet the bottom), the ropes are threaded through the attachment members of the adjacent end wall and sidewall lift straps. After lacing, the ends of rope 92 are joined together, here by use of a figure eight knot. This particular crisscross pattern (using single rope 92) is known in the art.

Bottom support weave includes second rope 91, woven into a pattern between the end walls as shown. The demonstrated pattern is similar to the crisscross pattern of rope 92 except this pattern lacks the lacing parallel to the end walls. Instead, the lacing extends between the opposing corners of the end walls, with an additional lacing through the adjacent corner sidewall lift strap loop, shown in the detail of FIG. 1A Again, the ends of the rope 91 are connected or joined together. The join can be by tying or using links or snaps other connections means. Hence, the crisscross pattern of rope 91 is end-to-end, while that of rope 92 is side-to-side. This “double” crisscross pattern creates a flexible structure providing support for lifting and is resistant to twisting forces. Use of two ropes is preferred (but not necessary, either rope 91 or 92 could be used), as it allows independent movement of the ropes, de-coupling movement of rope 91 from rope 92. The crisscross pattern can also include elements of the bottom support member that connect sidewall to endwall (end to side connections, such as these elements orientated along diagonals, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6). As used herein, “connected” includes attachment to (such as a sewn fixed attachment) or a loose joint, such as formed by threading a rope through a loop, a joint formed by a shackle and ring, or other means of loosely joining two or more items.

While the weave patterns shown are preferred, other woven pattern can be used (for instance, see FIG. 3A). It is desired that the pattern have crisscrossing support elements that do not cross in a solely rectangular grid (as shown in the '727 patent). It is preferred that the opposite diagonal corners of the bottom be connected together to resist twisting. For instance, using the rectangular grid of the '727 patent and adding a lacing between diagonal corners would provide added resistance to twisting forces. The additional crisscrossing across the bottom (other than through diagonal corners) adds additional resistance to twisting movement. As used herein, “woven bottom support” means a crisscross pattern of support member(s) across the bag's bottom creating a pattern containing elements other than a 90 degree grid, and where the crisscross pattern (at least in a rectangular or square shaped bag) includes elements crisscrossing end-to-end, or side-to-side (that is, the support members are orientated along a slant between either opposite sides or adjacent sides). “Support members” refers to substantially linear elements, such as rope, webbing, chain or wire. In general, any pattern created by one or more bottom support members will be referred to as a bottom support. A bottom support includes a woven bottom support as well as other types of bottom support patterns, such as support members creating an intersecting right angled crisscross pattern (as shown in the '727 patent and in FIG. 11), a support member positioned in an oval pattern on the bottom (see FIG. 10), a rectangular pattern, or other pattern created by support member(s) positioned on the bottom of the bag (see FIG. 12).

For instance, a single rope or webbing oval shape (shown in FIG. 10) can be utilized (the oval shape itself tends to provide the needed support to resist torsonial forces, or an oval, overlaid with an “X,” could be used to providing additional end to end reinforcement (shown in FIG. 10A). As shown in figure 10, the bottom support includes a center oval, with radiating straps 99 that end in loops that will tie in to side support members. Oval could be a loop of metal, with the straps looped around the metal, creating a partially rigid (partially flexible) bottom support weave rigid Shown in FIG. 10A is a slight modification of the design in FIG. 10, where the radiating loops 99 support a perimeter rope 98 into which side support member will connect. As in indicated above, the bottom support weave can be attached to, partially attached or detached from the bag fabric. Similarly, a square/rectangular pattern with/without diagonals could be employed. Finally, if torsional forces are not excessive or expected, the crisscross right angle grid pattern shown in the '727 patent could be employed (such as shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A), or the single woven support provided by rope 91 or rope 92 as shown in FIG. 1A, or other bottom support grids or patterns could be used. As shown in FIG. 11, a 90 degree intersecting grid of straps created the bottom support. In FIG. 11, the bottom support extends partially up the sides and each strap ends in a loop that is used to join with the side support members. The join could be loop to loop (using a connector (snap ring, rope tie, cable tie,) or other means of joining the side support members). Alternatively, the bottom support could end in a perimeter encirciling member such as is shown in FIG. 13, or partial perimeter members such as shown in FIG. 11 (the alternative join, shown dashed in FIG. 11).

In general, the bottom support or woven bottom support is designed to work with the side support members to transfer the applied lifting forces from the side support members to the bottom support members and support the bottom of the bag during lifting operations. It is desired to have a fairly uniform distribution of lifting forces which can be achieved with a wide variety of bottom support or woven bottom support.

The bottom support members may also reduce using the bag fabric as a substantial support/lift element if the bottom support members are not directly attached to the bag fabric. In this instance, the bottom weave may be detached from the fabric of the bag, as shown in FIG. 1. That is, part or all of the support members may not be sewn to or otherwise directly attached to the bottom. By detaching the bottom support from the bag's exterior fabric, the bottom support or woven bottom support pattern of support members may shift with respect to the bottom of the bag. For instance, as shown in FIG. 1A, the woven bottom support created with ropes 91 and 92 is not attached to the bottom; instead, the ropes are threaded through the bottom-most extension of the side lifting straps 60. Hence, this woven bottom support allows the bottom support to move with respect to the bottom, allowing the bottom support members to slip, shift or otherwise adjust to a changing load or lift forces while substantially decoupling the bag material from the bottom support members (ropes, straps, wire, etc). Consequently, the bag materials and bag seams are not subject to the same forces that would be present if the bottom support members were sewn to the bag. This “decoupling” or detachment of the bottom supports from the bag's bottom material helps reduce the bag bottom being used to transfer forces from the side lift straps. If both the bottom support members and the side support members are “decoupled” or detached from the bag material, the side and bottom support members act to cradle the bag.

This decoupling on the bottom of the bag is preferred, but not necessary if the load is fairly evenly distributed and the lifting forces are evenly distributed. In this instance, the bottom support weave (or portions thereof) may be directly attached to the bag. For instance, shown in FIG. 11 is a 90 degree intersecting crisscross pattern similar to that shown in the '727 patent. However, different from the '727 patent is that the bottom straps 60 do not extend up the sides of the bag to the top of the bag. Each strap is can be sewn or otherwise fixedly attached to the bottom of the bag, or the straps can be detached (or the straps could be attached to the other straps). Each strap has two distal ends that terminate in a connector. The connector can be a loop of fabric (shown in FIG. 11) or can be a connector such as a caribiner, snap hook, etc. or a partially or totally encircling perimeter support member (such as a rope). The connector is positioned near the edge of the bottom and is used to join the side straps to the bottom support weave or grid. The connector can extend beyond the bag bottom (as shown in FIG. 11 using a grid and FIG. 13 using a crossing ropes bottom support pattern) where the bottom support pattern extends partially up the side and endwalls of the bag, or fall within the bag bottom, as shown in 10A using an oval shaped bottom supporting pattern.

If the bottom support is constructed from rope, a preferred material is a kermantal nylon 6/6 static rope (tensile strength 5,500 lbs). Other types of rope could be used, including wire rope. Webbing, chain or other flexible linear materials can be used to weave the desired flexible bottom support weave. As shown in FIG. 1A the ends of the ropes are tied together, but the ropes can be joined to the retention loops 50 (not preferred) or the side lift strap retention loops or attachment members, or attached to the bottom (not preferred).

The lifting bag shown in FIG. 1 has two opposing closable flaps 31 and 35. The inner closing flap 31 is composed of the liner material, while the outer flap 35 is composed of the outer bag material. In the preferred embodiment, each flap 31 and 35 is closable with a zipper (a #10 nylon coil zipper has been successfully employed). The outer flap 35 zips along the edge of the top of the outer enclosure bag. The lining includes 1-3 inch extension into the interior of the bag along the top edge of the opening (other than on sidewall accommodating the liner top 31). This extension is to accommodate the zipper on the interior liner. The top construction of the bag is not that critical, and top construction can include spouts, single flap or multiple opposing flaps, a duffle top etc, and the top closure means can also vary (zipper closure, strap closures, Velcro-type connectors, ropes etc), as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 14.

In use, the lifting bag, once loaded or filled, can be lifted using a lifting frame, such as shown in FIG. 8 U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,727 and FIG. 14 herein, (suitably modified for the number of straps on the bag to be lifted) or any other type of lifting frame known in the art. For instance, a square frame lifting frame may be used instead of the parallel lifting bars attached with a center support such as shown in FIG. 14. Generally each side support member is a lineal element with a top and bottom end: the top end attaches to the lifting frame and the bottom end attaches to or is attached to the bottom support. Alternatively, a rope or webbing may be threaded through the top loops of the lifting straps, and a crane used to lift the filled bag. Alternatively, the lifting straps or side support members can be made sufficiently long to allow the top loops to be gathered together, joined, and lifted by crane or other lifting device.

As described, the lifting straps 60 are not fixedly connected to the sides of the bag, hence the straps are free to move through the retention loops 50. The ability of the straps to slide through the retention loops allows transfer of the lifting force to the bottom of the lifting bag (i.e. to the bottom support or woven bottom support), without placing a tearing type stress on the sides of the bag when lifting. As shown, the lifting straps 60 are “detached” from the side of the bag along the entire height of the bag's side, and positioned adjacent to the bag's exterior by the retention loops 50. However, the lifting straps can be directly attached (e.g. sewn) to the bottom ¼ to ½ to ⅔ of the bag, and detached at the top of the bag, (allowing the top of the bag (above a load line) to move during lifting independently of the straps.

It may be desired to removably fix the lifting straps 60 near a position on the exterior of the bag during filling. To accomplish this, the area of the side straps near the topmost retention loop are lined with one side of a hook and loop type fastener, such as Velcro. Attached to the lifting strap is a strip of flap of material (a closure flap 40) of the remaining side of the hook and loop type fastener. The closure strap is positioned to allow the closure strap to bridge across the topmost retention loop, thereby preventing the side strap from sliding through the retention loop.

For explanatory purposes, suppose the “loop” side of the fastener is positioned suitably on the lifting strap. Attached to the closure strap is the mating “hook” material 43. The closure strap 40 bridges the retention loop 50 in a closed loop by the join of the hook and loop attachment members (see FIG. 4). In use, the hook material attached to the lifting strap, is positioned through the top retention loop. The loop side of the fastener passes over the exterior facing side of the retention loop (it bridges over the retention loop) and attaches to the hook side of the fastener on the lifting strap below the retention loop (or above, if the strip is attached below the retention loop), thus securing the strap to the retention loop and hence the exterior of the bag. During lifting, the Velcro fastener should be removed from a bridging relationship with the retention loop. Obviously, other means of temporarily fixing the position of the lifting straps 60 to the exterior of the bag can be used, such as a button on the lifting strap and a button hole in the retention loop, clasps, etc. Alternatively, the exterior of the retention loop can be lined with, for instance, the hook fabric, and a strip of hook fabric attached to the lifting strap to allow attachment to the hook fabric. All such embodiments are a means to removably fix the position of a side support member to a retention loop.

It is also possible to connect the sidewall lifting straps together along the sidewalls or endwalls of the bag using other support members, but such connections (not shown) are not considered sidewall support members. As described, a sidewall support member is a substantially linear element (rope, webbing, wire, chain, etc) substantially orientated in a vertical fashion along a side wall (and may extend across a portion of the bag bottom, as shown in FIG. 1).

As the bag is not self supporting, a frame must be provided to support the bag during loading. A metal or wooden frame can be used, such as shown in FIGS. 5-7 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,727. The bag is positioned in the interior of the frame, and the lifting straps 60 lie over the outside of the frame. The lifting straps may be secured to the exterior of the frame if desired. Alternatively, the bag may have support loops attached to the exterior to tie to the frame support frame during filling operations to tie the bag to the support structure.

For the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, after loading, the duffle top 40 is gathered and closed, such as with a cable tie or a strap sewn on the duffle bag. The interior non-woven top 31 is positioned over the opening and zipped shut, and finally, the woven top 35 is positioned over the opening and also zipped shut. The use of the zippers provides for ease of closing, and surprisingly, remained zipped during the drop test and stack test of a loaded bag.

Other embodiments of the bag are shown in FIGS. 5 (single top), FIG. 6 (a 6′×4′×2′ enclosure designed for 10,000 lb capacity, using a single rope as the flexible bottom support weave), FIG. 7, a 4′×6′×4′ enclosure designed for a 16,000 lb lifting capacity, and FIG. 3, a 24,000 lb bag using a single liner with short flap lie extensions to protect the zipper. 

1. A lifting bag comprising a bag having at least one side wall and a closed bottom, said sidewall and said bottom forming a bag interior, said bag further having a closable top portion connected to a portion of said sidewall and adapted to close said interior, said bottom and said sidewall comprising a layer of a woven or non woven material; at least one bottom support member positioned on said bag bottom and forming a bottom support pattern, a series of flexible side support members positioned on said sidewall, said side support members said being connected to said bag sidewall but moveable with respect to said sidewall along a substantial length of said sidewall near said bag top, said side support members being connected to said bottom support.
 2. A lifting bag as in claim 1 wherein said bag has a series of retention loops positioned on said sidewall and said side support members are restrained from substantially horizontal movement by said side retention loops.
 3. A lifting bag as in claim 2 wherein said side support members are connected to said side retention loops by threading said side support members through said retention loops.
 4. A lifting bag as in claim 2 wherein said side support members are moveable with respect to said sidewall along the entire length of said sidewall.
 5. A lifting bag as claim 2 where said some of said retention loops comprise two substantially parallel slits with a section of bag material positioned therebetween.
 6. A lifting bag as in claim 2 wherein said bottom support member is moveable with respect to said bottom of said bag.
 7. A lifting bag as in claim 2 wherein said bottom support member forms a woven bottom support.
 8. A lifting bag as in claim 2 wherein said bottom support forms an oval pattern.
 9. A lifting bag as in claim 1 wherein said bottom support member is formed from a rope, said rope being detached from said bottom of said bag and connected to said side support members.
 10. A lifting bag as in claim 9 wherein said side members have a top end and a bottom end and a loop formed at said bottom end, and said rope bottom support member is threaded through said loop.
 11. A lifting bag as in claim 7 wherein said bottom has a first side edge and a second side edge opposite said first side edge, a first end edge and a second end edge opposite said first end edge, where said woven bottom support has a section of said bottom support member that is orientated along a slant between said first side edge and said second side edge, or said first end edge and said second end edge.
 12. A lifting bag as in claim 7 wherein said bottom has a first side edge and a second side edge opposite said first side edge, a first end edge and a second end edge opposite said first end edge, where said woven bottom support has a section of said bottom support member that is orientated along a slant between adjacent edges of said bottom.
 13. A lifting bag as in claim 7 wherein said bottom has a first side edge, a second side edge opposite said first side edge, a first end edge and a second end edge opposite said first end edge, each said side edge and said end edge forming a corner therebetween, and said woven bottom support has a section of said bottom support member that is orientated along a slant between opposing corners of said bag bottom.
 14. A lifting bag according to claim 2 wherein said each of said side support member is a strap having a top end and a bottom end, where each of said bottom ends of said strap terminates in a connector, said connector connecting said bottom support.
 15. A lifting bag according to claim 14 wherein said bottom support member comprises a first rope, said first rope being connected to each of said connectors by threading said rope through each of said connectors.
 16. A lifting bag according to claim 14 wherein said bottom support member comprises a first and a second rope, said first rope being connected to a first series of said connectors and said second rope being connected to a second series of said connector.
 17. A lifting bag according to claim 15 wherein said first rope forms a bottom support pattern extending from side to side, or end to end, or side to end of said bag bottom.
 18. A lifting bag according to claim 2 having at four corners at having at least two cinch straps positioned near two of said corners.
 19. The lifting bag according to claim 2 wherein each side support member is connected to at least two of said retention loops, one positioned near the top of said bag and one positioned near said bottom of said bag.
 20. The lifting bag according to claim 19 wherein said side support members further has a means to removably fix the position of said side support member about said retention loops positioned near said top of said bag.
 21. The lifting bag of claim 2 in combination with a lifting frame. 